When you purchase a home, or when you home reaches 30 years of age, your homeowner’s insurance carrier will require a 4-point home inspection. The inspection is necessary to obtain a new insurance policy or to continue the existing policy on an older home.
The purpose of the inspection is to assess the current condition of the asset they are insuring. Insurance underwriters will use the information in the inspection report to calculate their risk when determining insurance premiums.
The four-point insurance inspection includes a review of the following systems:
A 4-point home insurance inspection is not the same comprehensive inspection when you are buying or selling a home. It is a pass or fail examination strictly limited to a review of the four major home systems.
When our licensed home inspector arrives at your property, he will provide a standard 4-point home inspection that your insurance carrier requires. The review takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Also, insurance carriers require home inspectors to take photos to document the condition of these systems.
Electrical System: The inspector will examine the condition of the electrical wiring in your home. The outer panel of the electric fuse box will be removed to inspect the wiring and document its present condition.
HVAC System: We will inspect the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, noting its age, condition, and any visible issues.
Plumbing System: The plumbing and drain lines, including the water heater, will be inspected to determine its present condition, age, brand, and if any water leaks are present.
Roof System: The licensed home inspector will climb on the roof to determine the type of roof on your home, and document its present age, condition, and any visible damage.
After the 4-point inspection, the inspector will let you know if your home passed or failed the examination. A certificate will also be sent to your insurance carrier. If your home doesn’t pass the inspection, your carrier will typically allow time, usually 30 days, to correct any deficiencies. Some reasons your home may not pass a 4-point inspection may include but are not limited to, faulty wiring, plumbing leaks, and roof damage, for example.
Many homeowners are caught off-guard when the notice arrives, not knowing what to expect. If you recently received a letter from your insurance carrier requiring a 4-point home inspection, don’t worry. All you need to do is give us a call to schedule the inspection at your convenience.
